All I Needed

Chapter One - Sophie

"I thought it would be colder." My best friend Sloane snorted a laugh and leaned in closer so I could hear her over the roar of the crowd.

"Soph, I still can't believe you've never been to a game with me. You're obsessed with my brother and yet you've never been to one of his games?" She raised a dark brow and peered at me with equally dark eyes. Sloane was gorgeous with long, dark hair, brown eyes framed with long lashes and high cheekbones. Mix that with her thin, 5'11 frame and she could be a model. Good genes run in that family.

I felt my cheeks flush and swatted her on the arm, "I am not obsessed with him!" Okay that was kind of a lie. Griffin St. James was the epitome of perfection, and I definitely harbored a major crush on him. Maybe a little more than a crush considering I had known him since I was twelve, and now thirteen years later I was still harboring those feelings.

Sloane giggled and shook her head. You'd think Sloane would be annoyed that I crushed on her brother, but she was completely supportive of my pipe dream. Besides, Griffin had never even glanced in my direction. It didn't help that he was five years older and already drafted into the NHL when I was a freshman in highschool. Or that I hadn't seen him in the last seven years while I was in nursing school and working in a pediatric ICU across the country.

I had just recently moved to Chicago where Sloane lived to join her in working in labor and delivery. We hadn't gotten to see each other since Sloane flew to Seattle for the new year, and it had been a long ten months apart.

We had grown up in a small town in Ohio and living in the city was always our dream. I was just thankful that dream had finally taken us to the same city.

"I don't even know how you could crush on him, he's such a grouch." Sloane scrunched her nose and I shrugged. I knew Griffin was broody, but I liked how quiet and reserved he was. It was rare that a guy as famous and as good looking as him wasn't a cocky asshole, and I admired that about him. Even when he was fresh out of highschool and being drafted by the Knights, he never let it get to his head.

Our conversation was interrupted by the lights dimming and the announcer welcoming the Chicago Knights. I watched as each member skated onto the ice, waving at the crowd or flashing cocky smiles. Griffin was the last to skate on, face stoic and staring straight ahead. At 6'5, he looked even bigger in skates as his broad frame did laps around the rink.

It was my first time seeing him in his uniform in person and I felt my stomach dance with butterflies. Okay, definitely more than a crush if just the sight of the guy sends my heart into cardiac arrest.

"You're drooling." Sloane deadpanned. I blushed furiously and gave her another smack on the arm. She was always good at embarrassing me.

"Shut up. I can't help it." It was true. I had tried countless times to forget Griffin St. James but it was impossible. The man had occupied my thoughts for half my life and I was sure at this point he always would. "He's just.." I trailed off.

Sloane smiled sympathetically and leaned her head on my shoulder, "I get it. Sometimes you just can't help who you have feelings for." She said wistfully. "But just so you know, my brother is an idiot if he doesn't realize what's right in front of him. You're actually the hottest bitch I've ever seen."

A loud laugh left my lips as I shook my head. I knew I wasn't ugly, but Sloane always had a way of making me feel more confident than usual.

I was much shorter than her at only 5'3, and had always had a slim build and a curvy butt. My boobs were my best asset, perky and more than a handful. I had never lacked confidence until it came to Griffin.

We were so distracted in conversation we didn't see the team line up and prepare for face off. Griffin stood tall in the middle of the rink as the center. I didn't know much about hockey, but I knew Griff was the center and he was kind of a big deal.

I watched with bated breath as the ref dropped the puck onto center ice and the Knights flew into action as Griffin won the face off.

I officially loved hockey.

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After the game, which the Knights won 3-0, Sloane and I decided to head to the family visitor area so she could see Griffin before we headed out. Typically most of the Knights players would head to a club after a big win, but Griffin was not the type to go out on the town. Another thing I loved about him.

We had been waiting for a half hour before the first players started to emerge from the locker room until Griffin's tall frame came into view. He was dressed comfortably in gray sweatpants and a black Chicago Knights sweatshirt. His dark hair was damp and slightly longer on top. It amazed me that he could look so perfect in sweatpants with wet hair. His dark eyes roamed over the crowd before settling on Sloane, who was standing slightly in front of me.

Griff's dark eyes wandered to me as he walked towards us and I felt my stomach flutter at the eye contact. Strong jaw, straight nose and full lips, this man was everything my heart desired. And everything my vagina desired too.

His eyes stayed locked on me as I watched him scan me from head to toe and back up again. I suddenly felt a little self conscious in my black leggings, Chicago Knights jersey and black sneakers. My blonde hair was curled and hanging down to my waist and I had only applied a little mascara to my lashes to make my blue eyes stand out.

Griffin's eyes settled on the jersey I was wearing and I watched as something flared in his eyes. St. James and the number 13 were scrawled across the back and I couldn't help but wonder if Griffin had a possessive side that would want his girl to wear his last name and number. Not that I was his, but a girl could dream.

"Hey Griff! We just wanted to stop and say hi before we headed back to the condo. You remember Sophie, right? Her flight just landed a couple hours before the game so we dropped her luggage off, changed and came straight here to watch you play." Sloane grinned and pulled me in front of her. I felt my heated cheeks flush even darker as Griffin scanned me once again.

Sloane had been living in Griffin's condo since she moved to Chicago, and her older brother wouldn't have it any other way. If Griffin was anything it was protective, especially of his baby sister. When I had told Sloane I was considering moving to Chicago she all but forced me to move in with her and Griffin. The condo had five bedrooms and three bathrooms and Griffin had told her he didn't mind. The only problem was I didn't know how me or my panties would survive living with this man.

"I remember her." That voice. Deep, broody, masculine and panty melting. Was everything about this man perfect?

"Hi Griffin. You played great." I was nervous and judging by the slight smirk on the edge of Griffin's lips, he could tell to.

"Thanks Sophie." My name on his lips was enough to send my heart into overdrive and my cheeks to flush red.

"Well, we're gonna grab a pizza or something and head home. Do you have plans or are you heading home too?" Sloane interrupted. Thank god she was rescuing me from sounding like a blubbering idiot.

"Heading home." He stated.

"Good, you can give us a ride and buy us pizza." Sloane grinned and Griffin just shook his head at his baby sister before turning on his heel and walking towards the players parking garage. Sloane and I took that as our queue and followed closely behind him. I couldn't help but scan him again. With those broad shoulders and a firm ass I wanted to grip, this man was going to be the death of me.

"Sophie, you've got it bad." Sloane whispered. I didn't even bother responding. She was right, I was obsessed.